Western governments step up calls for citizens to leave Lebanon

Senior bureaucrat Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been appointed as the new finance secretary, replacing T V Somanathan who was appointed as the Cabinet secretary. Pandey, a 1987-batch IAS officer currently serving as the secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management, will now take on the role of finance secretary as per the convention of appointing the senior-most secretary in the Union finance ministry to the position. Full Article

The bull market, fueled by falling inflation and steady GDP growth, is now facing uncertainty as stocks wobble and bond yields drop amid fears of a stalling economy. The recent disappointing employment report has left traders unsure about the state of the labor market, with debates swirling about the potential for a soft landing or recession. Despite the market's unease and changing leadership dynamics, the S & P 500 remains close to its peak levels,...

CIA director Bill Burns and MI6 chief Richard Moore spoke at the FT Weekend festival in London, highlighting the impact of Ukraine's Kursk offensive on Putin's war narrative and the mounting dangers to the international world order. They discussed threats from Russia, China, and the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They also addressed concerns about Russian sabotage operations in Europe and the potential escalation of conflict in...

Afghanistan's final 16-member squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand includes uncapped players Riaz Hassan, Shamsurrahman, and Khalil Ahmed, with star all-rounder Rashid Khan absent due to injury. Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will lead the spin attack, while Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad, Yama Arab, and pacer Naveed Zadran have been omitted. The squad was selected based on players' performance in a preparation camp, with Hashmatullah Shahidi leading the team. Source link

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet US President Joe Biden in the White House to discuss the Gaza conflict and recent policy differences on arms exports to Israel. The meeting, announced by the White House, will cover a range of global issues such as securing a hostage release in Gaza, supporting Ukraine, and protecting international shipping from Iranian-backed threats. Starmer's visit is part of his efforts to strengthen UK-US cooperation and reset relations with...

Alex Karp, CEO of Palantir Technologies, announced that Palantir and Dell would be added to the S&P 500 index, replacing American Airlines and Etsy, respectively, causing both stocks to rise in extended trading. Palantir, which went public in 2020, has seen significant growth, posting profits and experiencing accelerated revenue growth for four consecutive quarters. Karp, known for promoting patriotism in tech, emphasized the importance of profitability for inclusion in the S&P 500, with Dell's profitability...